hi lads

I'm not going to be building for a while, i might start another post explaining why later.

Anyway i'm really thinking over an engine choice for a locost type car. Just thinking.

What is the best gearbox to attach to an ST170 engine? can it be done relatively cheaply? There is a few other engine applications i've been looking into but i think the ford set up is the most straight forward for a first build.

I've been contemplating a subaru 2.0 boxer turbo, a honda prelude 2.2 (but that is definatley out), various bike engines for all out blasts, a honda legend v6, omega v6 and maybe rover v8. You see what i mean. It is not easy to choose and i believe that a build takes a steady mind to complete properly. With all this choice how could i be satisfied with choosing any 1 of them. I'd start maybe with a car and half way through think well maybe a gsxr would be nice! Help!

Before you choose an engine you better sort out what you will be using it for mainly IMO then rule out the cons from there.

First con is expense - may rule out BEC.
Is noise/revs an issue - rule out BEC

If it out and out fun then BEC...

Some of your engine choice are a bit "new" so be prepared for a bit of trouble as you may well be one of the first and pioneers often take longer and frequently incurr more expense so chose wisely.

Steve

noise is not a problem, the more the merrier. But i would like to be able to relax and just cruise, as well as some of those more exciting runs. I don't like a sloppy gearbox in a car too, just ruins the experience in my view. My old honda has a very tight, smooth and fast gearchange keeping progress swift. i did own a pinto sierra a couple of years ago and thought the gearbox very sloppy. Didn't like it. I think the sequetial bike 'box would definatley be a plus here. Subaru turbo would be fast, smooth and rumbles but is also expense and probably some fancy electronics to mess with. The st engine is basically a duratec, a common enough engine in kit cars, so this one would probabaly be the simplest and possibly cheapest of all.

Coming back to the st170, that is the same block as a 2.0 zetec so you can stick an mt75 on it no probs. I use them as a middy set up with the getrag 6 speed. The boxs fetch good money if your doing a north south config and dont need the east west unit.

quote:

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Originally posted by quinnj3. But i would like to be able to relax and just cruise, as well as some of those more exciting runs.

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I have read that Raw are doing a close ratio box this may fit as they have also fitted Zetecs the cost was an additional £750 may be worth a call

If you're into long quiet runs then go CEC - the spirited runs will still be fun

When you get bored you can always fork out again and change the engine, but be warned, it's not as simple as it sounds going from CEC to BEC.

You may as well forget the relaxed cruising - buy a tin-top for that. Just go BEC and have more fun with a HUGE smile.

Steve

Go for a compromise

ST1100

or if you're into bleeding-edge and want an engine that no-one else has done use a ST1300.....

Whisper quite if you use the bike cans. Noisy as beans if you don't Big slug of torque and enough BHP to get your mojo flowing.

But then I'm biased....

The only thing I don't like about the ST1100 engine is the belt whine at idle. Soon that will be drowned out by the addition of a supercharger belt....

quote:

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Originally posted by BenB
Go for a compromise

ST1100

or if you're into bleeding-edge and want an engine that no-one else has done use a ST1300.....

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